Monday’s racing round-up brings news that Harry Eustace’s Docklands will head to the Hong Kong Cup Mile…
Connections of Docklands have revealed that he will head to Hong Kong for a crack at the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile on December 8 at Sha Tin. The Harry Eustace-trained five-year-old, who landed the Brittania Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, finished sixth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes in Australia last start. The son of Massaat is owned by Australian-based syndicate OTI Racing and will likely head back to the UK before another trip to Australia next season.
The locally-trained Nells Son took advantage of Kalif Du Berlais's heavy fall when running on strongly to claim the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase at Carlisle on Monday. Paul Nicholls' Kalif Du Berlais, who won the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton over hurdles last season, was sent off 4/11 to make his chasing debut a winning one at Carlisle. He jumped well up until making a costly error four fences from home, leaving neither horse nor rider with any chance of keeping the partnership intact. The Dan Skelton-trained Unexpected Party looked the most likely to capitalise on the error, but he failed to see off the rallying Nells Son in the closing stages.
Ollie Sangster remains hopeful of getting his classy filly Shuwari back on the track this season. The daughter of New Bay landed the Listed Star Stakes as a two-year-old before excellent efforts in the Group 1 Rockfel Stakes and the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket. Sangster's filly was due to make her reappearance in the 1000 Guineas back at Newmarket in May, but a sizeable setback ruled her out for the 2024 turf season. The Manton-based handler is now hoping Shuwari will be ready to return in the Hyde Stakes at Kempton early next month before a potential trip to Dubai over the winter.
Brian Ellison has further international plans on the radar for Onesmoothoperator following his admirable Melbourne Cup effort. Last year's November Handicap winner secured his spot in the 'race that stops a nation' when successful in the valuable Geelong Cup and whilst it wasn't to be at Flemington, Ellison's charge emerged with plenty of credit finishing a twelfth of the 23 runners. Ellison has revealed that his stable star will now be freshened up back in England with a trip to Dubai over winter in mind.
Six-time Group 1 winner and top-class miler Baaeed has had his fee reduced from £80,000 to £65,000 after owners Shadwell acknowledged an "unpredictable climate" facing breeders in a statement released on Monday. Baaeed's first foals are set to hit the European market in the coming weeks
